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The Acquittal
Ex-Chicago cop and new PI Josie Harper has been hired by an outside group to clear the name of publisher Lauren Wade, recently acquitted of the murder of her lover. That means finding the real killer, a task made more difficult by Lauren’s unwillingness to cooperate and a large family problem—Lauren’s parents have been kidnapped for a ransom she can no longer pay. Josie has a big challenge of her how to redeem herself after losing her job as a detective. When Josie and Lauren join forces to rescue the parents, they discover they make a great team, in more ways than one. Will Josie’s troubled past come back to haunt her? And who did kill Lauren’s lover?
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 10, 2023
3.50 Stars. A slightly twisted, crime-mystery book that was entertaining to listen too. For the rest of the month, in between ARCs, I’m going to be listening to some older sapphic books that I can borrow for free with my Audible membership and when I saw that there was an Anne Laughlin book, I could not pass it up. Anne Laughlin’s older books like A Date to Die and Veritas, are known for being entertaining mysteries, with lots of twists, where you can’t figure out who the killer is until almost the book is over, and I’m happy to say that The Acquittal fit that description perfectly! I had an idea on who I thought the killer was, but then changed my mind thinking no, too easy, so I picked someone else I was so sure on. In the end, I was close but still wrong. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I’ve read so many mysteries in the first half of my life that I have a really good knack for picking out the killer, so I have to give Laughlin some major points from pulling one over me:)
While Laughlin’s books usually have some romance, I don’t know if I would say that this book had one. Our main character is coming out of the hospital after finding out she is bipolar and can no longer be on the police force, so she is now a private investigator. I can’t say for sure if this was good bipolar rep, but it seemed very realistic of someone having to adjust to new medication, side effects and no longer having the same high highs and low lows. Because our main character is trying to get to a good place mentally and physically, she must learn how that feels when she is with another woman too, so she is not really in the best place for a grand sapphic romance, but maybe something very slow.
While there was a lot of good here, especially in the second half of the book, I was not crazy about the blackmail plot. I won’t go into too much, but I found it a little hard to believe and I just didn’t care for it. The sex scenes that happened when the blackmail part was not resolved, also made me uncomfortable. The murder mystery, and really everything else was so much better and just more entertaining that I wish the other part was a bit different but whatever, I still enjoyed my listen.
It’s been a little while and my memory has a lot of books bouncing around it, but I think I would still recommend A Date to Die, as my favorite Laughlin book to read, but if you have an Audible membership this would definitely be an entertaining free mystery borrow. (as of 1/9/23)
While Laughlin’s books usually have some romance, I don’t know if I would say that this book had one. Our main character is coming out of the hospital after finding out she is bipolar and can no longer be on the police force, so she is now a private investigator. I can’t say for sure if this was good bipolar rep, but it seemed very realistic of someone having to adjust to new medication, side effects and no longer having the same high highs and low lows. Because our main character is trying to get to a good place mentally and physically, she must learn how that feels when she is with another woman too, so she is not really in the best place for a grand sapphic romance, but maybe something very slow.
While there was a lot of good here, especially in the second half of the book, I was not crazy about the blackmail plot. I won’t go into too much, but I found it a little hard to believe and I just didn’t care for it. The sex scenes that happened when the blackmail part was not resolved, also made me uncomfortable. The murder mystery, and really everything else was so much better and just more entertaining that I wish the other part was a bit different but whatever, I still enjoyed my listen.
It’s been a little while and my memory has a lot of books bouncing around it, but I think I would still recommend A Date to Die, as my favorite Laughlin book to read, but if you have an Audible membership this would definitely be an entertaining free mystery borrow. (as of 1/9/23)
October 25, 2014
Ex-cop Josie Harper was kicked out of the police force for propositioning her lady commander. After a bipolar diagnosis and regular therapy and medication to control it, she opens a private investigative office. As luck would have it, she lands a major murder case on her first day at work. The case involves a publishing heiress and CEO, Lauren Wade, who was arrested, tried but eventually acquitted of murdering her girlfriend because the jury thought the prosecution was unable to prove it 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Josie is being hired to find out once and for all if Lauren was indeed guilty or not.
The book is mainly about Josie's life as she goes about her day as a bipolar PI and Lauren's life and her continuing trials after her acquittal. We get a good idea of what it's like to be bipolar and how Josie copes (or not) with the stresses of daily life. Josie is actually a pretty good PI--thorough, assertive and very perceptive. Neither is she too perfect. The investigation is actually quite realistic, as it also shows the limitations of a PI working solo. But like most cop/PI shows on TV, Josie is just as gung-ho when the more appropriate action should be to let the proper authorities handle it. But of course, where would the fun be in that? Josie is also a bit of a cad when it comes to treating women. Add to that a pair of highly dysfunctional parents and barely-controlled bipolar swings, and you have a very interesting albeit flawed protagonist.
So, if we're following the usual romance formula, we expect the two lead characters who have POVs to cross paths and eventually to hook up together, because, otherwise why spend so much book-time on them, right? Except that things don't happen at all the way we expect. I applaud the author for veering away from the usual, predictable route, but..and this is a big BUT... Unfortunately, I can't say anything more without revealing the various twists. But don't worry, there is an HEA. It's just that the route takes quite a roundabout way to it. Also the single most important mystery in the book--who killed Lauren's girlfriend but by the end of the book, we couldn't care less who did it because . In conclusion, I must admit I enjoyed the book, but it leaves a bit of a bitter aftertaste in the mouth.
The book is mainly about Josie's life as she goes about her day as a bipolar PI and Lauren's life and her continuing trials after her acquittal. We get a good idea of what it's like to be bipolar and how Josie copes (or not) with the stresses of daily life. Josie is actually a pretty good PI--thorough, assertive and very perceptive. Neither is she too perfect. The investigation is actually quite realistic, as it also shows the limitations of a PI working solo. But like most cop/PI shows on TV, Josie is just as gung-ho when the more appropriate action should be to let the proper authorities handle it. But of course, where would the fun be in that? Josie is also a bit of a cad when it comes to treating women. Add to that a pair of highly dysfunctional parents and barely-controlled bipolar swings, and you have a very interesting albeit flawed protagonist.
So, if we're following the usual romance formula, we expect the two lead characters who have POVs to cross paths and eventually to hook up together, because, otherwise why spend so much book-time on them, right? Except that things don't happen at all the way we expect. I applaud the author for veering away from the usual, predictable route, but..and this is a big BUT... Unfortunately, I can't say anything more without revealing the various twists. But don't worry, there is an HEA. It's just that the route takes quite a roundabout way to it. Also the single most important mystery in the book--who killed Lauren's girlfriend but by the end of the book, we couldn't care less who did it because . In conclusion, I must admit I enjoyed the book, but it leaves a bit of a bitter aftertaste in the mouth.
April 13, 2018
I can't help it, I liked it. A book full of crazy bitches, and a lot of unexpected twists (once you get past the annoying blackmail bs).
I like the authors ability to write outside the box and will check out her other books.
I like the authors ability to write outside the box and will check out her other books.
March 26, 2021
Couldn't get into any of the main characters. The writing felt a bit cold and detached compared to their situation.
The mystery part was spoiled for me by being revealed at the beginning. It would have been way more creepy and thrilling if the writer had kept us in the dark as long as possible.
The end was a nice surprising quadruple twist though.
The mystery part was spoiled for me by being revealed at the beginning. It would have been way more creepy and thrilling if the writer had kept us in the dark as long as possible.
The end was a nice surprising quadruple twist though.
May 18, 2024
What a weird novel - WTF sort of sums it all up. Skip read the last half. None of the main characters (bar Lucy) appealed and it felt convoluted and had gratuitous violence. Move on.
March 15, 2022
4.25 ⭐️ I stayed up way past my bedtime—3:30 AM—just so that I could finish reading this.
I am positively surprised that I ended up liking this after all, especially after that certain plot twist in the end. I thought that was far better and more fitting than the usual stuff for an ending...
Kudos to Laughlin's writing style here! 👏
I am positively surprised that I ended up liking this after all, especially after that certain plot twist in the end. I thought that was far better and more fitting than the usual stuff for an ending...
Kudos to Laughlin's writing style here! 👏
March 28, 2023
3.5 stars. Interesting. I'm a little disappointed in the way that this ended, but not for the reasons that I thought I might have been disappointed. It's a really good mystery and the twists kept me up on my toes. I guess it's because of the type of reader that I am, I wasn't paying attention to the types of clues that I should have been, and so when things started coming together in the later half of the book, it did take me by surprise. And I always can appreciate and applaud a book that can do that.
We're following two women: Josie, a recently established private eye trying to manage her newly diagnosed bipolar disorder, and Lauren, a woman who was just acquitted of murdering her girlfriend. Josie is hired by a third party to prove that Lauren is innocent once and for all, and the plot follows them separately before their threads begin to wind together. There is a kidnapping and blackmailing plot that is extremely over the top and exaggerated, but I can't lie, it did make me feel major sympathy for the character involved. I also really loved following a character who was struggling so viscerally with her mental illness, and having to learn how to manage it in healthy ways. I did think, and was hoping, that the book was going in certain directions, but I can't really be mad that it veered off into another place? It just makes me sad that (spoilers ahead)
Listened to the audiobook as read by Tatiana Sokolov, who was a new voice to me and pretty entertaining for this mystery/thriller. The author definitely knows how to weave a good story, and again, the turns this took were definitely unexpected. So I'll try to read from her again.
Content warnings:
We're following two women: Josie, a recently established private eye trying to manage her newly diagnosed bipolar disorder, and Lauren, a woman who was just acquitted of murdering her girlfriend. Josie is hired by a third party to prove that Lauren is innocent once and for all, and the plot follows them separately before their threads begin to wind together. There is a kidnapping and blackmailing plot that is extremely over the top and exaggerated, but I can't lie, it did make me feel major sympathy for the character involved. I also really loved following a character who was struggling so viscerally with her mental illness, and having to learn how to manage it in healthy ways. I did think, and was hoping, that the book was going in certain directions, but I can't really be mad that it veered off into another place? It just makes me sad that (spoilers ahead)
Listened to the audiobook as read by Tatiana Sokolov, who was a new voice to me and pretty entertaining for this mystery/thriller. The author definitely knows how to weave a good story, and again, the turns this took were definitely unexpected. So I'll try to read from her again.
Content warnings:
September 15, 2025
that was so weird
January 16, 2021
This book came up in Audible recommendations among LGBTQ romances, or I probably wouldn't have tried it, which would have been a shame. Now I am wishing that it wasn't her only novel available on Audible.
This is a first-class thriller, with enough twists to keep the mystery intriguing, racy content that fits well with Audible's recommendation (though it isn't a romance), a deeply flawed but very relatable protagonist. The main antagonist is perhaps a little too moustache-twirling evil, but then, he's a sociopath and a well-drawn one. The other characters, whether love interests, potential love interests, suspects or victims are also all interesting and flawed to various degrees.
Protagonist Josie is bipolar, stabilized with drugs, but beginning to lose her grounding, with her mania leading her to avoid looking after herself. It's a very believable descent into irrational behavior, without at all losing the reader's sympathy. This doesn't have easy answers. Josie thinks that her growing mania helps her, giving her more time and faster thoughts, but it's clear that she's hurting herself, taking too many risks and causing problems for everyone around her.
The various lesbian couples who form the suspect / victim pool have believable problems. It's especially interesting how most of them know Josie better than she knows them, having been a part of the bar scene during her major manic phase, about which she remembers little, so she's apprehensive about all of her interviews. She promises herself that she won't get into fights now she's no longer manic, then gets into fights for other reasons.
There are very few well-defined solutions to any of the problems raised, but even with the ambiguities all of the story threads are satisfyingly handled.
I do feel that chapter 1 shouldn't exist. Everything it does is done better by reflection in the remainder of the story. Lauren's viewpoint (the woman accused and acquitted of murder) isn't needed or helpful here.
I also think that Lauren's acquittal itself could have been a little more convincing. With the extremely strong circumstantial evidence, the motive Lauren has, and the fact that she wouldn't defend herself, it's very hard to buy into her walking away free from the trial. It would be good to have some reason for the jury not to convict, even if it was only prosecutorial error, which wouldn't affect whether or not Lauren committed the murder, or whether anyone would believe it.
Still, those are both minor narrative problems compared to the overall story, which was excellent. (As was the reading for Audible, by Tatiana Sokolov.)
This is a first-class thriller, with enough twists to keep the mystery intriguing, racy content that fits well with Audible's recommendation (though it isn't a romance), a deeply flawed but very relatable protagonist. The main antagonist is perhaps a little too moustache-twirling evil, but then, he's a sociopath and a well-drawn one. The other characters, whether love interests, potential love interests, suspects or victims are also all interesting and flawed to various degrees.
Protagonist Josie is bipolar, stabilized with drugs, but beginning to lose her grounding, with her mania leading her to avoid looking after herself. It's a very believable descent into irrational behavior, without at all losing the reader's sympathy. This doesn't have easy answers. Josie thinks that her growing mania helps her, giving her more time and faster thoughts, but it's clear that she's hurting herself, taking too many risks and causing problems for everyone around her.
The various lesbian couples who form the suspect / victim pool have believable problems. It's especially interesting how most of them know Josie better than she knows them, having been a part of the bar scene during her major manic phase, about which she remembers little, so she's apprehensive about all of her interviews. She promises herself that she won't get into fights now she's no longer manic, then gets into fights for other reasons.
There are very few well-defined solutions to any of the problems raised, but even with the ambiguities all of the story threads are satisfyingly handled.
I do feel that chapter 1 shouldn't exist. Everything it does is done better by reflection in the remainder of the story. Lauren's viewpoint (the woman accused and acquitted of murder) isn't needed or helpful here.
I also think that Lauren's acquittal itself could have been a little more convincing. With the extremely strong circumstantial evidence, the motive Lauren has, and the fact that she wouldn't defend herself, it's very hard to buy into her walking away free from the trial. It would be good to have some reason for the jury not to convict, even if it was only prosecutorial error, which wouldn't affect whether or not Lauren committed the murder, or whether anyone would believe it.
Still, those are both minor narrative problems compared to the overall story, which was excellent. (As was the reading for Audible, by Tatiana Sokolov.)
January 1, 2015
I really, really wanted to like this book. I've read two others by the author and enjoyed them - particularly Veritas - but I just couldn't get into The Acquittal.
I couldn't buy into the kidnapping plot at all and the characters just didn't make me want to care much about them. The entire romantic/sexual plot aspects between Josie and Lauren felt wrong to me and really took away from my enjoyment of the book. There were also a few typos...
I will say that I thought the author did a really good job of making me feel it when Josie was experiencing her manic episodes.
I'd probably go 2.5 but I can't do that. I'll rate it a solid three over at Amazon since 2 here and 3 there both mean "It was OK" and that's how I felt about it.
I couldn't buy into the kidnapping plot at all and the characters just didn't make me want to care much about them. The entire romantic/sexual plot aspects between Josie and Lauren felt wrong to me and really took away from my enjoyment of the book. There were also a few typos...
I will say that I thought the author did a really good job of making me feel it when Josie was experiencing her manic episodes.
I'd probably go 2.5 but I can't do that. I'll rate it a solid three over at Amazon since 2 here and 3 there both mean "It was OK" and that's how I felt about it.
May 21, 2023
This was a free audible listen and it was entertaining and a good murder mystery.The bipolar rep was very realistic so realistic I could feel the mania.Okay so two things I didn't like 1.the blackmail plot and 2.the suicide.I usually like there to be mystery/action and romance now I get the whole having sex to feel something etc but it was such heavy focus on the other romantic interests who then just vanish and then what was supposed to be the main one got cut short without much development!so apart from those two points it is an interesting read now I am gonna check out some of the other books!
September 9, 2020
Interesting to say the least, the twist and turns had me engaged and honestly did not see a few things coming. The blackmail part carried a little to much but truly can't see why the author felt that getting Lauren fired would have been the women's breaking point ... I certainly did not see that one coming. I like murder mysteries and detective stories, so I was happy to come across this book.
February 1, 2023
I general, I enjoyed the book. Some of it seemed a bit far fetched, and I thought the way it ended was somewhat lacking. The Lauren ending seemed odd.
I guessed the murderer early on, but changed my mind a few times.
I definitely would read more from this author.
(I listened on Audible and the narrator did a great job)
I guessed the murderer early on, but changed my mind a few times.
I definitely would read more from this author.
(I listened on Audible and the narrator did a great job)
December 24, 2020
Did you ever watch Homeland? very familiar plot with bipolar detective.....a little note for the narrator: if you try to do accents at least know what Austrian sounds like, Its not Russian....
August 3, 2023
Overly contrived. I wanted to like the protagonist but couldn't manage it.
August 10, 2023
Oh. My. God. I have never met a cast of sick twisted characters that I liked more.
April 28, 2024
An enjoyable read, looking forward to seeing how this protagonist develops
July 26, 2021
Quite a few twists in this one. I am still not sure who killed her lover.
March 19, 2020
This was my first crime-ladened, mystery novel in quite some time. I thoroughly enjoyed the progression of the story, its characters, and the way that the entire novel ebbed and flowed around Josie’s BPI Disorder. My only qualm with this novel was its length: I longed to learn and read more about Josie, her parents, Lucy, Lucy’s background Lauren, Lauren’s family, even Eva seemed an interesting life to peruse.
dnf-no-chance
November 30, 2025There’s no mystery. The characters are not enjoyable, especially Josie Harper. The recklessness of Josie is cringe inducing and the incredible amount ridiculous actions that take place made the book embarrassing.
November 25, 2014
Advance copy from Netgalley for honest review.
This was more of a thriller than anything else. I cannot even imagine having my parents kidnapped by my brother and then doing what he tells me to or they die. Lauren is a very strong person but eventually comes to her breaking point when she not only saves her ungrateful parents but they fire her from the job she loves without so much as a thank you. Lauren's life is really sad and I'm actually surprised it took her that long to hold on before she snapped. Between having your lover killed and being accused of her murder to having a very psychotic brother who enjoys killing and maiming people to her parents getting kidnapped....it's too much for one person to handle.
Josie has it rough too dealing with a bipolar disorder that hit the extremes and caused a scene at her job in front of the whole precinct. Now she's a PI who's dealing with her medication and trying to stick to her one alcohol a day rule. The author did a very good job describing and letting the audience know when Josie was in an episode, it was very clear and precise. In the end Josie got someone to spend her life with and can deal with her disorder, which I think is good.
This was more of a thriller than anything else. I cannot even imagine having my parents kidnapped by my brother and then doing what he tells me to or they die. Lauren is a very strong person but eventually comes to her breaking point when she not only saves her ungrateful parents but they fire her from the job she loves without so much as a thank you. Lauren's life is really sad and I'm actually surprised it took her that long to hold on before she snapped. Between having your lover killed and being accused of her murder to having a very psychotic brother who enjoys killing and maiming people to her parents getting kidnapped....it's too much for one person to handle.
Josie has it rough too dealing with a bipolar disorder that hit the extremes and caused a scene at her job in front of the whole precinct. Now she's a PI who's dealing with her medication and trying to stick to her one alcohol a day rule. The author did a very good job describing and letting the audience know when Josie was in an episode, it was very clear and precise. In the end Josie got someone to spend her life with and can deal with her disorder, which I think is good.
November 30, 2014
I have read and reread and retained this author’s VERITAS and RUNAWAY but THE ACQUITTAL reads like the author is suffering the same mental illness as her main character. The writing is surprisingly scattered, all over the place; the development illogical, as if the writer is under the influence of "demons" or mind-altering substances. Also unsettling is the author photo on the paperback’s back cover – it looks nothing like the photo on the cover of “Veritas”. So maybe "The Acquittal" was written by a “counter-force” :) of the Veritas author! Curious. What a waste.
October 1, 2015
One of the best lesfic mysteries I've read in a long time. Laughlin's pacing and plotting are excellent, and she has created a complicated but lovable protagonist dealing as best she can with bipolar issues (think Clare Danes in Homeland). There's romance but the story is not a romance and there's enough humor to keep the novel from being overly dark.
Only two things threw me off: dated chapters, which seemed wholly unnecessary, and the protagonists Herculean efforts in a full leg cast. Minor details to be sure. Overall, The Acquittal is an outstanding lesfic mystery.
Only two things threw me off: dated chapters, which seemed wholly unnecessary, and the protagonists Herculean efforts in a full leg cast. Minor details to be sure. Overall, The Acquittal is an outstanding lesfic mystery.
May 28, 2016
The plot of this book was just too flawed. From the bit-too-far-fetched overall plot to the "twists and turns" that made no sense, then add the strange ending where the protagonist guesses at who "might" have been the murderer... it was not a satisfying read to say the least. Good writing, but terrible plotting. Perhaps the author should change genres.
Read
August 11, 2015This was a really interesting read and a new spin on the noire kind of detective. I really enjoyed seeing how Josie's struggle with bipolar affected her career and decisions. Lots of shadow and dark in this piece, and it pulls you in.
October 23, 2014
Likeable characters with no predictability
A great story that starts slowly for the first couple of chapters then goes gangbusters until the last page. Totally enjoyable.
A great story that starts slowly for the first couple of chapters then goes gangbusters until the last page. Totally enjoyable.
December 16, 2015
The Acquittal by Anne Laughlin: http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwid... 2015 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
March 20, 2016
Not the typical HEA story. And a lot of dysfunctional people crammed in.
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